In a September 13 press release, the U.S. DOT, FAA, and Australia's Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism announced a Memorandum of Understanding between the agencies to cooperate on developing clean and sustainable aviation fuels. See FAA press release available here. The agencies will share information and costs and conduct joint research into the viability and effectiveness of alternative fuel sources and programs. While the agreement is a far cry from the types of multinational compacts that will be required for significant progress on reducing aviation emissions, any attempts at international cooperation are encouraging to the extent that they demonstrate a recognition by the contracting states that emissions are a problem facing the global aviation industry, and one that will likely be solved more quickly through multistate efforts.